Jets waive Franklin Lakes' Matt Simms

By J.P. PELZMAN

STAFF WRITER |

The Record

Five days ago, quarterbacks coach David Lee raved about second-year pro Matt Simms, saying the former star quarterback for Don Bosco “has improved as much as any guy I think I can ever remember coaching.”

AP

Matt Simms went 29-for-49 in three preseason games for 323 yards and one touchdown with no turnovers.

Yet on Saturday, the Jets waived the Franklin Lakes native, one of 21 players cut as the Jets got down to the NFL-mandated 53-man roster limit by the league’s 4 p.m. deadline. Sixth-round pick Tajh Boyd, a former Clemson star, also was waived, leaving the Jets with only two signal-callers on the roster: starter Geno Smith and veteran backup Michael Vick.

Other notable cuts included cornerback Dimitri Patterson, who was released eight days after he skipped a preseason game, and underachieving third-year wide receiver Stephen Hill. Hill was waived less than two days after he told reporters he expected to make the team.

First-year tight end Chris Pantale, a former Wayne Valley standout, also was waived.

Lee, speaking to reporters Tuesday, called Simms “special.”

But apparently he was not special enough. Simms went 29-for-49 in three preseason games for 323 yards and one touchdown with no turnovers, but he and the offense were held scoreless in the first half against Philadelphia on Thursday night.

Simms won the No. 2 job last summer after the season-ending injury to Mark Sanchez, but the signing of Vick in March pushed him further down the depth chart.

A change in the rules regarding practice squads, which went into effect Aug. 19, means Simms now is eligible for that squad despite spending all of last season on the active roster.

It’s very possible the Jets could bring him back if he clears waivers. They also might re-sign Boyd, a Rex Ryan favorite, to the practice squad.

Patterson, signed to a one-year, $3 million contract as a free agent in April, missed the preseason game against the Giants on Aug. 22, and general manager John Idzik and Ryan said they had no idea where he was, and that his absence was unexcused.

He eventually was suspended. The Jets said the suspension would have been lifted Monday, but Patterson didn’t make it that far.
Patterson certainly didn’t help his cause by repeatedly disputing the Jets’ claim he was AWOL.

He had been projected as one of the starters at corner until he was sidelined by ankle, calf and quadriceps injuries, and didn’t play against Cincinnati on Aug. 16.

He played poorly in his one preseason game for the Jets against Indianapolis. Ryan later indicated Patterson seemed to be hampered by his injuries during that contest.

Hill, whom the Jets traded up to select in the second round in 2012, was plagued by dropped passes and also was hampered by various leg woes during his tenure. He also wasn’t helped by the struggles of Sanchez in 2012 and Smith in 2013.

He totaled 45 receptions for 594 yards and four touchdowns as a Jet. Given his still-untapped potential, it’s likely some team will claim him off waivers before 4 p.m. today. Cleveland, coached by former Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, is a potential landing spot.

The Jets had tried to trade Hill before cutting him, according to a league source.

Eighth-year outside linebacker Antwan Barnes (knee) was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. He must sit out the first six games before being eligible to return.

Jets waive Franklin Lakes' Matt Simms

Matt Simms went 29-for-49 in three preseason games for 323 yards and one touchdown with no turnovers.

By J.P. PELZMAN

STAFF WRITER |

The Record

Five days ago, quarterbacks coach David Lee raved about second-year pro Matt Simms, saying the former star quarterback for Don Bosco “has improved as much as any guy I think I can ever remember coaching.”

Yet on Saturday, the Jets waived the Franklin Lakes native, one of 21 players cut as the Jets got down to the NFL-mandated 53-man roster limit by the league’s 4 p.m. deadline. Sixth-round pick Tajh Boyd, a former Clemson star, also was waived, leaving the Jets with only two signal-callers on the roster: starter Geno Smith and veteran backup Michael Vick.

Other notable cuts included cornerback Dimitri Patterson, who was released eight days after he skipped a preseason game, and underachieving third-year wide receiver Stephen Hill. Hill was waived less than two days after he told reporters he expected to make the team.

First-year tight end Chris Pantale, a former Wayne Valley standout, also was waived.

Lee, speaking to reporters Tuesday, called Simms “special.”

But apparently he was not special enough. Simms went 29-for-49 in three preseason games for 323 yards and one touchdown with no turnovers, but he and the offense were held scoreless in the first half against Philadelphia on Thursday night.

Simms won the No. 2 job last summer after the season-ending injury to Mark Sanchez, but the signing of Vick in March pushed him further down the depth chart.

A change in the rules regarding practice squads, which went into effect Aug. 19, means Simms now is eligible for that squad despite spending all of last season on the active roster.

It’s very possible the Jets could bring him back if he clears waivers. They also might re-sign Boyd, a Rex Ryan favorite, to the practice squad.

Patterson, signed to a one-year, $3 million contract as a free agent in April, missed the preseason game against the Giants on Aug. 22, and general manager John Idzik and Ryan said they had no idea where he was, and that his absence was unexcused.

He eventually was suspended. The Jets said the suspension would have been lifted Monday, but Patterson didn’t make it that far.
Patterson certainly didn’t help his cause by repeatedly disputing the Jets’ claim he was AWOL.

He had been projected as one of the starters at corner until he was sidelined by ankle, calf and quadriceps injuries, and didn’t play against Cincinnati on Aug. 16.

He played poorly in his one preseason game for the Jets against Indianapolis. Ryan later indicated Patterson seemed to be hampered by his injuries during that contest.

Hill, whom the Jets traded up to select in the second round in 2012, was plagued by dropped passes and also was hampered by various leg woes during his tenure. He also wasn’t helped by the struggles of Sanchez in 2012 and Smith in 2013.

He totaled 45 receptions for 594 yards and four touchdowns as a Jet. Given his still-untapped potential, it’s likely some team will claim him off waivers before 4 p.m. today. Cleveland, coached by former Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, is a potential landing spot.

The Jets had tried to trade Hill before cutting him, according to a league source.

Eighth-year outside linebacker Antwan Barnes (knee) was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. He must sit out the first six games before being eligible to return.